Our Selection: The most important news in hospitality

🏨 In 2025, Red Roof saw significant growth with a 2% market share increase for The Red Collection and 1.1% for Red Roof Inn. A new app boosted revenue by over 65%. The brand plans to add 3,500 rooms, with new hotel executions up 35% from 2024. Over 700 properties now feature In Stay SMS texting, and FreedomPay enhances payment systems. The Purpose With Heart program achieved a 210% increase in e-learning participation for cultural competency.

🏨 Ringwood Hall Hotel and Spa, a 19th-century, Grade II listed manor with 72 bedrooms, joins BWH Hotels' BW Signature Collection. Located near Peak District, it's set in six acres of gardens and 29 acres of parkland. Plans include spa investments and glamping accommodations. By joining, it gains BWH Hotels' global network and support while retaining its unique identity. James Winfield, the general manager, and Robert Alley, BWH Hotels GB's brand development director, emphasize the benefits and heritage.

💻 Mar 17, 2026 – Mirai launches a conversational booking engine, revolutionizing hotel direct channels with natural language interaction. This new paradigm simplifies the booking process, boosting guest engagement and conversion rates. Hotels gain control over the customer journey, reducing reliance on intermediaries and enhancing understanding of guest intent. This aligns with the AI-driven travel trend, urging hoteliers to rethink direct channels as dynamic, AI-powered interfaces.

🛫 Marriott and United Airlines highlight that advertisers miss opportunities by not targeting travelers, who tend to spend more on vacation. United's ad platform, Kinective Media, connects with travelers via its app, lounges, and in-flight screens, noting that 25% of its travelers earn over $250,000 annually. Their efforts gain traction with tourism boards and B2B advertisers, evidenced by a Cayman Islands campaign that led to over 9,000 United bookings.

🌿 Hartley Botanic, founded by Vincent and Norman Hartley, has been crafting glasshouses and greenhouses in England for 85 years. In 2021, they received the Queen's Award for Enterprise. Their aluminum structures, endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society, come with a 30-year lifetime guarantee. With installations worldwide, including Massachusetts, USA, and Jersey, UK, Hartley Botanic continues to deliver customizable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing designs. Order now for Summer 2026 delivery. Call 01457 819155 for more info.

💻 Yesterday, in the South of France, a boutique hotel owner gained 45–60 extra minutes each morning with the help of a new AI executive assistant. Over 9 hours, the AI integrated with Cloudbeds and Google Workspace, managing room availability, triaging emails, and flagging tasks. It swiftly resolved a two-week-old payment issue in 30 seconds. The owner’s goal of a streamlined, prioritized daily overview is now just two sessions away.

📈 Bashar Wali, CEO of This Assembly, discusses 2026 hospitality trends. RevPAR is expected to grow modestly, and occupancy may decline, with STR and Tourism Economics predicting 62.0% occupancy, ADR up 0.9%, and RevPAR up 0.5%. FIFA 2026 will drive demand spikes from June 11 to July 19 in 11 U.S. cities. Labor challenges and capital market constraints persist. Success in 2026 requires meticulous planning, liquidity protection, and effective asset management. The year rewards execution over enthusiasm.

💻 Mar 13, 2026, BCG's 2026 AI-First Hotels report reveals only 2.9% of travel and tourism employees have AI skills, compared to 21% in tech. Marriott's AI-driven room-assignment engine, co-designed with staff, exemplifies successful adoption. Meanwhile, AI-skilled hospitality workers grow at 5% annually, but the skills gap persists. BCG advises that AI transformation needs a people strategy, highlighting a disparity between AI tool deployment and user capability in the hospitality sector.

💻 Mar 4, 2026, Lighthouse launched Connect AI for hotels globally, allowing integration with AI platforms like ChatGPT using MCP (Model Context Protocol). This platform charges a flat subscription fee with no commissions, enabling independent hotels to directly showcase current data. However, AI's recommendation logic isn't controlled by hotels, and content quality is crucial. The channel's booking impact is still unknown, but early adoption may position hotels advantageously. Subscription cost is the key consideration.

📈 Mar 12, 2026, in Europe, Google will test a new search layout to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, which targets "self-preferencing" by large platforms. The initial focus is on hotel searches, giving more prominence to competing travel platforms. This change could impact hotel distribution and booking channels. Google's non-compliance risks are high, with potential fines of up to 10% of global revenue. The industry's criticism of Google's preferential practices drives this change.

📈 Mar 12, 2026: Boston Consulting Group's report highlights AI-driven travel services. By 2025, 85% of GDS bookings transitioned to APIs, making it more digital. GDS hotel bookings grew 13.5% in 2024 with a 2.4% rise in average daily rates. Predictions suggest a 125% GDS booking increase by 2030. Bleisure accounts for 30-40% of bookings, with affluent leisure travelers comprising nearly 30%. Independent hotels risk being left out without GDS connectivity.

🍹 India is embracing RTDs, shifting from flavored options like Bacardi Breezer to clear spirits with natural flavors. Salud Beverages, a Karnataka startup, redefines RTDs as a lifestyle. Their Salud G&T 2.0, India's first bottled gin and tonic, has sold over 250,000 bottles in Karnataka. Expansion plans include Goa and Odisha, backed by a $1.1M investment featuring actor Rana Daggubati. Salud's new offerings, Salud Fiesta and Salud Strong Cranberry, cater to evolving taste preferences for fruity, lower-strength drinks.

🌏 El Calafate, Argentina's adventure tourism hub, thrives thanks to the Perito Moreno Glacier's 250 km² ice spectacle. Offering diverse experiences, from walkways to 3.5-hour ice treks, it caters to various visitor demographics. 🎒 El Chaltén complements with trekking, while local ranches and gastronomy enhance stays. Operating year-round poses challenges with peak demand from December to February. Sustainability is crucial, balancing tourism with conservation within the 727,000-hectare Los Glaciares National Park.

💻 Mar 10, 2026: Hotels embracing an “AI-first” model can achieve leaner teams and faster, data-driven decision-making, according to Boston Consulting Group. AI enhances operational efficiency by automating tasks like workforce scheduling and inventory management, and improves guest personalization through data analysis. Labor shortages and rising costs are accelerating AI adoption, despite challenges like data fragmentation. Success requires significant investment in technology and leadership commitment.

📅 Mar 9, 2026: Travelers increasingly rely on Reddit for travel advice early in their planning, impacting hotel perceptions before using OTAs or brand websites. Reddit's candid, peer-driven discussions shape reputation outside traditional marketing. Key points include the high trust in peer discussions, importance of destination-focused conversations, and unfiltered brand sentiment. Despite limited direct marketing opportunities, monitoring Reddit offers valuable market intelligence and indirectly influences bookings by shaping traveler intent.

📈 Mar 9, 2026: Google has embedded paid hotel listings into AI-generated itineraries since July 2025. February 2026: Marriott collaborates with Google on a "priority search experience." November 2025: Google announced agentic booking development with partners like Booking.com, Expedia, Marriott, and others. Google previously discontinued similar projects in May 2022 and September 2023 due to low usage. As Booking.com spent $7.3 billion on marketing in 2024, smaller hotels struggle in this evolving landscape. Pricing for Google's new AI Mode remains undisclosed.

💸 Dubai hotel owner Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor criticized Donald Trump for military action against Iran, calling it dangerous. Al Habtoor, known for supporting UAE ties with the U.S. and Israel, warns this escalates regional instability. The conflict disrupts UAE airspace and hotel business, leading to sharply dropping hotel prices. Major hotel brands remain silent on the issue, impacting Dubai’s image as a safe haven.

✈️ Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr, on Friday, raised concerns about the growing dependence on Gulf hubs in aviation, labeling it a geopolitical vulnerability. The Iran war has led to airspace closures and airport disruptions, impacting major Middle Eastern hubs and international travel. Spohr emphasized this as a strategic liability for Europe, highlighting the concentration of global air traffic in the region as a critical issue for the industry.

🛩 Sunrate and Repayd, two financial service companies, announced a strategic alliance for the travel industry at ITB Berlin 2026. Headquartered in Singapore, Sunrate, founded in 2016, and Repayd will enhance global payment solutions by integrating international payments, commercial cards, and global collections to streamline cross-border transactions. This collaboration aims to improve efficiency, transparency, and cost management for travel businesses operating in multiple countries and currencies.

📈 Italy in 2025 saw hotel arrivals rise by 7.1%, driven by an 8.7% increase in international visitors, reaching 104 million arrivals. Total overnight stays exceeded 480 million, up 3.4% from 2024, with an average stay length of 3.6 nights. Key markets with a blend of leisure, corporate, and event-driven demand proved most effective in boosting RevPAR. Rome exemplified this trend, highlighting the importance of diverse demand sources for hotel profitability.

📅 On 25 June 2026, the 31st Hospitality Operator Forum will be held at the InterContinental Paris le Grand hotel. The event, organized by Hospitality ON with MKG's expertise, focuses on "#boldness" as the theme. Serge Trigano and Kevin Machefert will discuss leadership transformation. Ancillary revenues, AI, and ESG strategies will be pivotal. The forum will emphasize strategic alignment, technological integration, and operational accountability for profitability improvements. Participants can join through Hospitality ON.

🛫 March 2026, United States: Deloitte’s “The Future of Hospitality” report highlights trends reshaping the industry, including AI-driven travel experiences and mass tourism strains. Six imperatives are recommended: diversifying demand, leveraging AI, expanding markets, achieving efficiency, operating responsibly, and investing in workforce. AI aids in predictive maintenance, dynamic pricing, and real-time decision-making. Embracing these innovations is crucial for staying competitive amid economic constraints, labor shortages, and changing consumer expectations.

✈️ March 2026, Berlin: Sabre launches a new logo and tagline, “Let’s get going,” at ITB Berlin, signaling a shift from its traditional role as a global distribution system (GDS). Chief Marketing Officer Jen Catto highlights the rebrand as the result of years of technological revamping. Amidst this, Sabre faces pressure as Constellation Software develops competitive solutions. The rebranding aims to better align with Sabre's internal advancements.

📈 In 2026, hotels leverage advanced forecasting to enhance profitability and guest experience. Identifying low-demand periods 60-90 days ahead allows targeted marketing and labor optimization, avoiding last-minute rate cuts. New metrics like TRevPAR shift focus from occupancy to profitability, valuing high-spending guests over volume. Daily data updates enable real-time strategy adjustments, while tools like Demand Calendar automate insights and streamline processes, freeing up time for strategic action. Segmentation and external data integration are crucial for precise forecasting.

💰 2025, the UK hotel market faced challenges. RevPAR declined in H1 but recovered by Q3, reflecting growth pressure in European markets due to limited pricing flexibility and subdued demand. Structural cost pressures—labor, energy, and food—combined with reduced business rates relief, compressed margins, lowering profit margins to 34.5%. Operators must enhance RevPAR, improve labor productivity, and control capex. Occupancy remained stable, but leveraging ADR became difficult, emphasizing operational excellence over pricing power.

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🗺 Canada, 2026: The travel advisor landscape remains stable with a seasoned workforce—60% have over 10 years' experience, while new advisors (2 years or less) are at 14%. Nearly half are agency owners, especially among home-based advisors. International bookings, notably to Europe, prevail despite declining U.S. demand. Key revenue drivers are service fees and supplier partnerships. Advisors leverage digital marketing and AI tools, though concerns about AI's accuracy and loss of personal touch persist.

📅 In 2026, the AAHOA HYPE Conference took place in Miami, Florida, gathering young hospitality leaders for two days focused on leadership development. The event included discussions on extended-stay performance, investment strategies, and AI in hotel operations. Keynote speaker Raul Leal emphasized the significance of people in hospitality. AAHOA leaders highlighted the industry's role in employing over 25% of young U.S. workers, stressing education, networking, and professional growth for future leaders.

February 25, 2026  – Northeast Florida and Georgia’s Golden Isles – Casago, a premier franchise-based vacation rental management company, today announced the expansion of its franchise footprint with the transition of Vacasa’s St. Augustine, Amelia Island, and St. Simons Island markets to Casago First Coast. The markets are now owned and operated by Impact Holdings, a family-run hospitality company with more than 40 years of hospitality experience. The transition brings enhanced local leadership and market-level decision-making to three high-demand coastal destinations while maintaining continuity for homeowners and guests. Existing field teams remain in place, continuing…

New Investment Backs Hospitality Tech Startup, Expanding 24/7 Workflow Automation to Improve Efficiency, Accuracy, and Scalability Across Hotel Portfolios. Toronto, Canada and Olomouc, Czechia – February 25, 2026 – SeedTwo Capital has led a $2 million oversubscribed seed round in RobosizeME, a startup designing intelligent workflow automation purpose-built to remove the repetitive, manual work from hotel operations. While the global hotel industry generates over $580 billion annually, much of its back-office operations, such as reservations, finance, revenue management, and guest services, remain manual and labor-intensive, consuming a disproportionate amount of time. RobosizeME…

💰 European hotel transaction volumes hit €27bn in 2025, with 1,050 properties sold, the strongest year since the pandemic. Transactions increased by 23% from 2024, and 28% above the 10-year average. The UK, Spain, and France contributed 49% of activities, totalling €13.4bn. Spain's volume rose by 52%. Key deals included Brookfield's €776m acquisition of Generator Hostels. The recovery is due to improved hotel performance and stable debt conditions, continuing into 2026.

✨ Eleven-time Olympic medallist Simone Biles partners with a hospitality brand to enhance its holistic programming.

💻 In 2026, the hospitality industry is shifting towards a balance between technology and human interaction. A 70/30 Rule suggests 70% digital efficiency and 30% human engagement. Global traveler data highlights demands for instant messaging, mobile check-ins, and contactless services. Skift Research and Oracle Hospitality report a growing preference for digital-first engagements. However, emotional connections remain crucial for brand loyalty. Successful strategies integrate AI for routine tasks, freeing staff for more meaningful guest interactions.

🏨 2018: Accor sold 64.8% of AccorInvest for €4.6B, gaining €2.4B in capital. They reinvested in brands like Mövenpick and Mantra. 2020-2021: During COVID-19, Accor maintained operations, cutting €200M in costs despite a €182M loss. 2022: Accor revealed its business split; luxury rooms earn 3x more fees than economy. By 2024, Accor will own 3% of assets, with 97% managed/franchised, boasting a ~20% EBITDA margin.